Why You Should Consider a Forward Facing Infant Car Seat

Children younger than one year old should not ride in a forward-facing. In a crash their neck muscles that are weak could stretch and cause serious injuries.

Switch to FF instead when your child is at the maximum weight of their current seat or height (or the minimum for a new car seat). Please read your instructions for your car seat.

Safety

Infant car seats are made to protect the head and neck of your child in the event of an accident. The forward-facing position could assist in preventing your child from crashing their head against the back of the car seat which could result in serious injuries.

All forward-facing infant car seats have five-point harnesses to ensure the child's safety with just one pull tightening. Additionally, the shell of the car is lined with EPS energy-absorbing foam to provide enhanced impact protection. Some come with a canopy to provide shade from the sun.

The best infant car seats have an angle indicator and an adjustable angle adjuster, which allows you to set the correct angle of your child's head in order to prevent the car seat from slipping over in a collision. The top tether strap is attached to the tether anchor of the vehicle and extends from the top. It's important to keep in mind that your child may not require switching to a forward-facing car seat until they reach the top weight and height allowed listed in the instruction manual of the seat you are using.

When your child reaches 20 pounds and one year old is the right time to make the switch. Toddlers and babies under one year old have soft, loose neck muscles that can cause whiplash in an accident. In frontal collisions (the most serious and frequent kind), they are more likely to sustain serious neck injuries. When kids under 1 year are backwards their head is cushioned by the car seat and shielded from sudden movements that can cause neck strain.

When children move to a forward-facing car seat, they still require a convertible or an all-in-one seat that has a high rearward weight limit and a high. They shouldn't be moved to a booster seat until they reach the high back or backless booster age and height requirements for the seat, which usually means at around the age of 4 or 5. These crash videos will show you the differences between the carseats. However, keep in mind that the footage has been slowed down. A child can be injured when they move too fast.

Comfort

A forward facing infant car seat allows your baby to ride comfortably and stay secure during the event of a crash. The seat has a comfortable headrest and a body support cushion and an EPS energy-absorbing shell that helps protect your child from collision. The seat also comes with five-point harnesses with simple one-pull tightening, and an adjustable front center adjuster to ensure your child is in the right position. A retractable sun canopy can shield your child from the sun. The seat can be locked to the belts of the vehicle for safety. It also has a locking clip which keeps the buckle secure when the seat is not in use.

If your child complains of discomfort during a trip or seems to slump forward when they sleep, the seat's angle might be too low for them. This can be fixed by placing a towel that is tightly folded under the front of your car seat. If this doesn't work, you can take your baby to Rockridge Kids and we will examine the angle of the car seat.

Remember that children should not face forward until they weigh at least 20 pounds and are one year old. Their necks are still not strong enough to stand up to the force of a crash, if they were to fall to their front on their own. Some experts suggest waiting longer, because the muscles and bones of young children are more malleable than those of adults.

Many parents opt to purchase a convertible seat, which allows their babies to travel in a rear-facing position until they reach the maximum height or weight limit of the seat. This lets them benefit from the advantages of a rear facing infant car seat-facing car seat for much longer, and makes it more convenient for parents since they can simply shift their child from the rear-facing position to the forward-facing position when their child is no longer in the position.

The Graco 4Ever Convertible car seat is a four-in-one convertible car seat that allows your child to use the seat for up to 10 years. It can be converted from rear-facing infant (up to 40 pounds) to a forward-facing harness and high-back seats (30-100 lbs) and then to a backless belt-positioning seat (40-120 lb). It's simple and easy to set up using the Smart Fit system that allows you to move the headrest and harness together, without re-threading.

Convenience

When traveling with a young baby, a forward-facing car seat can be the best car seat option. This lets you see your child while driving and the rest of your family can get into the car without disrupting your baby or toddler. This type of car seat can also be used with a stroller, making it easier to carry your child in and out of your car to go to the grocery store or other errands.

But remember that even the time your child is old enough to switch to an forward-facing car seat, it's safer to keep them rear-facing for as long as is possible. When you look at it from the perspective of crash test results, a child's head is more protected in a frontal collision when they are facing backwards. This is because the entire body -- including the head, neck, and torso -- is cradled by the car seat's back when they are facing in this direction.

You should check the manufacturer's instructions for when you can change the car seat of your child around. You will find that they have a maximum height and weight limit, as well as specific guidelines regarding things like the crotch strap position. These guidelines are designed to protect your child's health as they grow.

Another thing to consider is whether you have a vehicle with tether anchors for your car seat. If you do, ensure that the strap is correctly installed and connected to the anchor points of your vehicle according to the instruction in the seat's manual. The last thing to do is ensure that the shoulder straps of the harness of your child are at or below their shoulders, and not too low or high. This will affect how they are secured in the event of a crash.

A convertible car seat is a great option for parents with several children or who are planning to have more. This is an all-in-one car seat that starts by being a rear-facing infant car seat that swivels car seat and then transition your child to a forward-facing position when they're old enough and have reached the weight or height limit of the rear-facing position of the car seat.

Style

You spent a lot time and effort in choosing the perfect baby car seat for your child. As your child grows and outgrows their infant car seat, you might be wondering if it's time to flip the seat around.

While the idea of having your child face forward is thrilling, there are a few important safety factors to consider. Children should be rear-facing until they reach the maximum height and weight limits for their specific car seat.

Remember that children vary in both size and age. Don't base your decision on a specific date on the calendar or if you think that they have reached their maximum length. A child might appear larger in a rear-facing car seat but that doesn't mean that it's safe to turn them around, as their spine and bones aren't fully developed.

It is recommended to keep your child rear facing until they are at least one year old. certain infant car seat rear facing car seats come with an inbuilt reminder to ensure they remain there. This is because children younger than one year old do not have enough neck muscles to take a direct hit, which could result in serious spinal injuries.

Many infant car seats are not just safe, but they are also simple to use. These include bases that stay connected to the car and snap in and out to allow you to carry your child from stroller to car and back, and they often pair with a frame stroller as part of an overall travel system.

If you are ready to switch your child from a rear-facing convertible seat to a forward-facing one, be sure to adhere to all the instructions given by the manufacturer and verify the tightness of your car seat. When properly installed, the car seat shouldn't move more than 1 inch side to side or front to back, and the harness straps must be placed at or above your child's shoulders. If you have questions or concerns about the fitting of your car seat, call an accredited safety technician in your locality or the manufacturer of your car seat.